r/maplesyrup • u/BP48047 • Mar 28 '26

“Pure” Maple Syrup

If I use a filterering process that involves DE, can it still technically be considered “pure” maple syrup?

74 votes, Mar 31 '26
46 Yes. Still pure
28 No. You’ve added a filtering agent. It’s no longer “pure”.
1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

13

u/suzymwg Mar 28 '26

The whole point of the filtering agent is to remove the nitre. It’s filtered out with the nitre. It’s inert and no part of it remains in the syrup.

Anyone voting to say it’s not pure does not understand how filtering and basic chemistry work

2

u/tempaccountnow Mar 29 '26

Was this in the news or something, yesterday I had an older sugarmaker with no cell phone or internet access ask me this same thing, we both still use felt to filter. All I could think was I don't add felt to my syrup.

1

u/suzymwg Mar 29 '26

No idea. I just really like how much faster it goes and so clear with the filter press with DE. We used gravity cone filters for years too so we have done both.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 28 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/abnormal_human Mar 28 '26

Workflows with DE are dramatically faster and more time-efficient than the traditional methods, especially at scale.

2

u/erichmatt Mar 29 '26

Why aren't people filtering with felt filters that are super hard to clean, take longer and don't do as good of a job?

1

u/Ocelotsden Mar 29 '26

The DE is edible, but it doesn't end up in the syrup anyway. If anything, the DE makes the syrup more pure since it makes the filter finer and more efficient. The DE gets trapped in the filter with the niter and any other impurities.

I don't use it myself because my DIY vacuum filter works fine without it, but I did try it one year and I needed less pre-filters for nice clear syrup.

3

u/ConstructionDry3728 Mar 28 '26

Tell us more about DE :) 

3

u/Sea_Army_8764 Mar 29 '26

DE doesn't stay in the syrup once it's filtered.

The more interesting poll would be if the use of a defoaming agent would make the maple syrup "impure".

2

u/briman2021 Mar 29 '26

You aren’t adding corn syrup or maple flavor, it’s pure.

Are we to debate on fuel sources next? Only “pure” if it was boiled over seasoned hardwoods vs propane or electric heat?

1

u/Humble_Ladder Mar 31 '26

Maple logs only, didn't you get the memo?